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Revision as of 16:42, 22 June 2007 by FargoMoorhead (talk | contribs) (→Civil Rights)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)LGBT Malaysians are classified as criminals under the national penal code and their is little public support or discussion about gay rights.
Criminal Code
Section 377 of the penal code prohibits heterosexual and homosexual sodomy with punishments including up to twenty years and prison and or fines and whippings. Section 337a more narrowly prohibits acts of "gross indecency with another male person" with punishment including up to two years in prison .
Civil Rights
No laws exist to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. No major or minor political party has expressed any public support for such civil rights legislation and their are no recognized interest groups in the nation that campaign for gay rights.
The "People's Anti-Homosexual Voluntary Movement", was created in 1998 to lobby for stricter criminal laws against homosexuality, and is a member of the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) ].
In 2001 the Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad stated that the country will deport any visiting foreign cabinet ministers, or diplomat who is gay .
Anwar Ibrahim
In 1998 the reformer named Anwar Ibrahim was charged with, among other political crimes, homosexual sodomy. In 2000, he was sentenced to nine years for engaging in sodomy with his 19-year-old male chauffeur. Despite international protests, he was not released until he had served out six years of his sentence, in 2004 .